How do you calculate XP for evil NPCs?

[ReeboKesh]

Hey guys I can't seem to find any rules on how to calculate the XP value of evil NPC characters? For example how much XP is a 1st level Rogue worth? A 4th level Warlock? A 10th level Fighter? etc
Thanks in advance
Reebo

 

[Mr. Teapot]

A normal NPC is worth just the same XP as a normal monster of the same level. Elite and solo NPCs (NPCs with templates applied) are worth XP or elite or solo monsters of their level.

It took me a lot fo searching to find that rule and I don't have a page citation handy, but if you look at the example NPCs in the DMG (in the two writeup later on), you'll see that this is true.

 

[Yaezakura]

Page 120 of the DMG says that NPCs count as a standard monster of their level.

So your 1st level Rogue would be 100 XP. A 4th level Warlock is 175. A 10th level Fighter is 500. Etc, etc.

 

[ReeboKesh]

Hold on. So a 1st level of 5 Evil NPC party with healing surges and actions points is worth the same XP of 5 Kobold Skirmishes?
Reebo

 

[Anthony Jackson]

Hold on. So a 1st level of 5 Evil NPC party with healing surges and actions points is worth the same XP of 5 Kobold Skirmishes?

NPCs don't get healing surges and action points, and also aren't statted up quite like PCs (they don't get as many powers).

 

[ForbidenMaster]

NPCs don't get healing surges and action points, and also aren't statted up quite like PCs (they don't get as many powers).

Actually they do get healing surges and second wind. The rules for creating NPCs can be found starting on page 186 of the DMG.

 

[JGulick]

Actually they do get healing surges and second wind. The rules for creating NPCs can be found starting on page 186 of the DMG.

Though, it should be noted, drastically fewer than PCs of the same level get (the familiar monster allocation of 1/2/3 by tier) and, likewise, fewer powers.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

NPCs don't get healing surges and action points, and also aren't statted up quite like PCs (they don't get as many powers).

The DMG also states you can use the PC creation rules for NPCs if you want, it just doesn't recommend and says to only use it for the recurring BBEG (or something along those lines).
Which begs the question if you do so how much XP is this guy worth?
He's better than a standard monster (at least once he has a few dailies) but proably weaker than a lot of elites.

 

[Jhaelen]

The DMG also states you can use the PC creation rules for NPCs if you want, it just doesn't recommend and says to only use it for the recurring BBEG (or something along those lines).
Which begs the question if you do so how much XP is this guy worth?
He's better than a standard monster (at least once he has a few dailies) but proably weaker than a lot of elites.

I have to say, in 4E I'd _never_ use an npc created 100% identically like a pc. For a BBEG I'd always add one or more special powers that cannot be duplicated by PCs. Thus, the BBEG will always be an Elite.

 

[JGulick]

Let's quick compare a from-scratch NPC per the DMG rules (pp.187-8) with a Monster with a Class Template (pp.182-3)...

Both have essentially the same powers, proficiencies, skills, and features and the same mods to defenses (or, at least, I didn't notice any differences).

NPC has Second Wind (albeit with only 1/2/3 Healing Surges per day), so essentially 1.25xHP (with a cost of a Standard Action to get there).

Monster with Class Template has +2 Saves, 2xHP, and 1 AP. All three of those are VERY significant effects to enhance survival in combat.

We know the Monster with a Class Template is an Elite.

From that, I'd argue the NPC built as the DMG suggests is a standard (if a bit on the beefy side) monster of his level, because he'd be shy several very significant abilities of the Elite.

Now, a fully-built PC style NPC... Well, that'd be a bad idea, IMO. Too many powers for the DM to manage effectively, specific Feats to be picked and managed in play, several Healing Surges an NPC will likely never get a short rest to be able to use, and little else. Not really a significant step over the DMG rules NPC except in bother.